There has also been a switch in the beers available. Wheat beer and alcohol-free beer from the UK are replacing beers brewed in Germany.

Although profits fell sharply, sales at the chain are continuing to rise.

Wetherspoon’s revenues rose by 7%, and like-for-like sales by more than 6%.

Richard Hunter, of Interactive Investor, said the industry as a whole was struggling: “The wafer-thin margins within the industry are susceptible to any spike in costs, which leaves the pubs vulnerable from an investment perspective.”

Related Articles

Media playback is unsupported on your device Media captionHow hogs and Harleys became weapons in a looming trade war. US President Donald Trump has instructed officials to consider a further $100bn (£71.3bn) of tariffs against China, in an escalation of a tense trade stand-off. These would be in addition to the $50bn worth of US […]

Image copyright Thinkstock Image caption Shire is known primarily as a maker of drugs to treat rare diseases Takeda, Japan’s largest drugs firm by sales, has said it is considering a possible offer for the UK’s Shire. The Takeda announcement sent shares in the UK pharmaceuticals company up as much as 25% in morning trading. […]

Image copyright Getty ImagesImage caption Drilling started at the Lancashire site on 15 October Shale gas has flowed for the first time at the UK’s only fracking site currently in operation, energy firm Cuadrilla says. Operations began at the Lancashire site in October for the first time since 2011 when it was suspended because of […]